INCLUDEnyc Receives Generous Gift From the Yield Giving Open Call 

March 19, 2024 – New York, NY – Today, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced INCLUDEnyc as one of the Yield Giving Open Call’s awardees working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. INCLUDEnyc has been selected to receive a generous gift, which was double the amount for which the organization initially applied. The organization was chosen from among 6,353 applications from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. 

INCLUDEnyc has provided love, equity, and access for young people with disabilities for over 40 years.  

In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. 

“INCLUDEnyc is deeply grateful to the Mackenzie Scott Foundation for its generosity. This gift will allow us to further our mission and make a difference in the lives of children and youth with disabilities. We are humbled by the gift from such a prestigious foundation,” said Cheryelle Cruickshank, INCLUDEnyc’s Executive Director.

The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In the Fall of 2023, organizations top-rated by their peers advanced to a second round of review by an external Evaluation Panel recruited for experience relevant to this cause, and underwent a final round of due diligence. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount. 

“We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. “In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.” 

More information on the Yield Giving Open Call and other initiatives can be found at www.leverforchange.org.